Motor Racing At Goodwood

Cannot possibly add to Sammy’s excellent previous review. I have normally attended fundraising charity events for local hospitals, clubs and so forth. The staff at Goodwood are so helpful and do everything possible to make your visit memorable. From the photographers point of view, they are extremely accommodating in assiting you getting the“shot” you want, provided safety regs are not breached. They will provide you with Hi-​Vis safety vest, (if you haven’t got your own) and will even ‘site’ you in a good position. Great stuff.

Goodwood House is home to the Goodwood festival of speed. Held annually for 3 days around June or July and known as ‘THE GARDEN PARTY OF THE GODS’ the event attracts some of the best racing drivers in the world and the most amazing cars from history right up to the present day. The idea of the weekend is for the cars to make a run up the hill climb while showing off both car and driver skills to the on looking fans. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of motor racing fans from all over the UK and sometimes the world. Everyone is hoping to get a glimpse of there heroes. One of the main attractions is the large quantity of up to date formula ones teams and drivers who make the trip there are normally around 7 or 8 of the current teams on show with the latest cars and drivers and you get so much more closer than you would at the F1 race at Silverstone.
I have been going for the past 8 years and have had the opportunity to meet and talk to some of the best drivers in the world these include:
Sir Stirling Moss
Jenson Button
Lewis Hamilton
David Coulthard
Mika Hakkinen
Damon Hill
Nigel Mansell
Petter Solberg
Mark Webber
John Surtees
James Toseland
And hundreds more
I have never had a bad experience everyone I have net either from the racing world or fans like myself have been lovely. The novel thing about the festival of speed is the way in which the public are able to get so close to the vehicles and stars allowing you to really get a good look under the bonnets and inside the cars as well as an in-​depth look at bikes.
Aside from the on track action there is heaps of other stuff to do from stalls to static displays and plenty of places to eat and drink.
You are not able to buy tickets on the gate it is only via online or telephone but when you do get there parking is vast with tractors and courtesy cars to take you to the gate. Due to the size of the event be prepared for quite a bit of walking.
Recently it has got a little manic when Hamilton appears so unless you really want to see him its easier to steer clear of him when he is walking about.
This event is a MUST for all motor sport fans at least once.